CHOUCROUTE GARNIE (GARNISHED SAUERKRAUT)

Choucroute Garnie (Garnished Sauerkraut) image

Provided by Pierre Franey

Categories dinner, casseroles, main course

Time 45m

Yield 6 or more servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

3 pounds sauerkraut
2 tablespoons lard or solid white shortening
1 1/2 cups finely chopped onions
1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
6 smoked pork hocks, about 2 1/2 pounds
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups fresh or canned chicken broth
4 sprigs parsley
1 bay leaf
3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
2 whole cloves
6 juniper berries, optional
1 tablespoon butter
1 pound finely ground pork
1 teaspoon finely crushed caraway seeds
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
Salt to taste, if desired
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 1/2 pounds smoked pork butt or porkette
1 pound kielbasa (Polish sausages)

Steps:

Put the sauerkraut in a colander and rinse well. Press with the hands to extract excess liquid.
Heat the lard in a large, heavy casserole or Dutch oven. Add one cup of the chopped onions and the garlic. Cook, stirring, until wilted chopped and add the pork hocks. Scatter sauerkraut over all. Add the wine and chicken broth.
Tie the parsley sprigs, bay leaf and thyme into a small bundle and add it. Add the cloves and juniper berries. Cover closely and bring to a boil.
Meanwhile, heat the butter in a saucepan and add the remaining half cup of chopped onion. Cook, stirring, until wilted.
Put the pork in a mixing bowl and add the cooked onions, caraway seeds and chopped parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Blend the pork mixture well. Shape it into 12 balls of approximately the same size. Arrange them on top of the sauerkraut. Add the smoked pork butt and continue cooking.
When the sauerkraut and meats have cooked for 30 minutes after the first boil, add the kielbasa. Cover and cook 15 minutes longer. Serve the sauerkraut with the sliced meats and potatoes.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1019, UnsaturatedFat 40 grams, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fat 72 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 68 grams, SaturatedFat 25 grams, Sodium 2410 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 1 gram